Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-04-22
PecuIfarisies of Iceland.

The agricultural products Of Iceland
are few. The entire island is said to con.
tain but one full grown tree, a noun
tain ash. There ls, indeed, forest, but
the trees of this forest Of willows and
birch rarely reach an elevation Of more
than three or four feet.
The Icelander is rarely profane or
goddess Lersonage. On the contrary, he
is Enthusiastically religious charac-
ter. The finest building in Ragkiavik
is the prison, but it waits in vain for an
inmate.
This city has smooth, tolerably broad
streets of volcanic sand and gravel, with
tagged sidewalks; square wooden
houses, merchants storehouses, with
ont signs, yet generally thronged with
people; and in the summer season, lit
tie gardens Of caulifowers, radishes and
turnips may be seen, and in the win.
dows beneath the white curtains, pots
of geranium, mignonette and roses.
The original government OF Iceland
was independent and patriarchal. The
chiefs who emigrated from Norway
formed an Althing or Assembly, rather
to conserve their own class interests
than those Of the people. Gradually the
native independence Of the island was
lost. The encroachments. first OF Nor
way, then of Denmark, increased; un-
til, in 1860, Iceland was mere de-
pendence, the absolute monopoly both
of its political offices and Of its protita-
Bile trade being control led by Danes.
Since ls45 an agitation was maintained
to secure constitutional government;
and this at last succeeded. The Althing,
answering to our Congress, is vested
with the Legislative authority; thc ex-
ecutive is governor appointed by the
king.
The great lava plain of Thing valls
(or, in Icelandic, Thing vetlia) Is the
place where the Althing held It's ses-
sions for over 500 years. This plain is
rent by deep, tremendous assures, in
general direction from north and south.
One of these, OIL the eastern edge OF the
valley, forms almost an island, attached
to the main mass OF rock by a narrow,
natural bridge. 1t is about three hun
dred yards long, but not more than 60
and 20 feet wide at the broadest part.
The summit is uneven, rising as you
approach the further end, until It's Jag
ged pinnacles look down on either side
into chasms $50 feet deep, where dark
mysterious, indigo colored water flows
onward, whence or whittier, no one can
tell. The character Of the place Is more
than savage: It is diabolcal.
Here the Althing held It's meeting,
inclosed at first only by circle Of the
hazel-s.icks, bound with sacred cords.
or fillets. Later, but not till 1890,
wall of blocks of lava was erected, and
a roof of canvas stretched oyer II to pro-
tect the Legislators from the inclemency
of the weather. But these were degen-
crate times of effeminacy and luxury.
There is mingled dignity and sim
,plicity In these children Of the North,
the good people Of this ancient land.
They are hospitablc but reserved; full
of emotion, but quiet In their demon
stration of 1t.
The Gothic blood, which manifests In
ways less pleasing similar chsracterist-
les in Spain and Sweden, shows Itself
here. Such men will take your pay
and serve you faithfully, but you must
never forget to treat them as equals.
Bayard Taylor once offered an Icelander
who guided him 10 house, piece Of
money. lie laughed as II II were a good
joke and ran away.
The old national costume ls original
aud graceful. For the women, It con-
sists of white helmet OF curious pat
tern, the horn covering over In front,
six inches above the head, the base rich
ly embroidered with gold, and white
veil thrown over all and floating over
the shoulders. They have also closely
fitting jackets OF dark cloth, heavily
braided with gold or silver, and broad
belts Of silver fligree work, and home
spun gowns.
The genuine IcelandIc costume for
man consists OF a jacket and knee
breeches, a dark gray home-spun cloth,
stocking OF the same cloth, sealskin
shoes, and round hat with the brim
turned up. The only ornament is bow
of red ribbon at the knee.